Photo: Firoz Ahmed
Expectations were sky-high as Bangladesh came into the three-match ODI series against Afghanistan on a phenomenal run of form in the 50-over format and following a record 546-run win in the lone Test against the same opposition, but that sense of superiority was dented by a quality bowling attack from the visitors as Bangladesh could post just 169 for nine in their 43 overs in the first ODI in Chattogram yesterday.
Opener Ibrahim Zadran struck 41 not out as Afghanistan beat Bangladesh by 17 runs on DLS method in a rain-shortened encounter. Rain prevented further play at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium after Afghanistan reached 83-2 in 21.4 overs, chasing a target of 164 runs in 43 overs.
The notion from the Bangladesh camp was to find the perfect combination before heading to the World Cup later this year, with the ODI series against Afghanistan presenting an opportunity to assess their opponents before the sides face each other in their opening fixture of the mega-event in Dharamsala on October 7.
There was a sense of assurance and stability in the Tigers’ batting line-up prior to the series, but the likes of skipper Tamim Iqbal, Liton Das, Najmul Hossain, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim and Afif Hossain all disappointed the patient Chattogram crowd in a rain-interrupted game.
It appeared that the home side’s batters were tested by some quality bowling from Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Mohammad Nabi and Fazalhaq Farooqi, leading many to question the quality of the opponents that the Tigers faced in the recent past, barring the series against England, which Bangladesh lost 2-1.
Bangladesh were asked to bat on a rather greenish surface and found it difficult to navigate the initial overs. The hosts lost a rather agitated and not 100 per cent fit Tamim, who was undone by Farooqi for the fourth consecutive time in ODIs. The left-hander was caught fishing at a delivery outside off from the left-arm seamer and only managed to get an outside edge to the keeper after scoring 13.
There were quite a few soft dismissals from Bangladesh’s point of view and the likes of Liton Das and in-form Shanto would probably be reassessing their shot selection in the dressing room.
Experienced players such as Shakib Al Hasan, who made a comeback to the side, and Mushfiqur also failed, with the latter undone by a quicker delivery from Rashid. It was certainly a reality check for Bangladesh’s batters when it comes tackling bowlers of a higher quality, especially when the stakes are high.
Towhid Hridoy remained the standout performer for Bangladesh with the bat, scoring his third fifty in just his sixth game, but the Tigers were nowhere near their best, leaving head coach Chandika Hathurusingha to come up with a better approach from his batters in the coming days.
